Dry-pipe valve.



PATENTED JUNE 23, 1903.

P.. EVANS.

DRY PIPE VALVE. APPLICATION i'nnn R07. 24, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I0. KODEL.

' No. 731,877. PATENTED JUNE 2a, 1903.

P. EVANS.

DRY PIPE VALVE.

APPLICATION rum) nov. 24, 1902. no MODEL. 3 sums-sun i.

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PATBNTED JUNE 23, 1903.

P. EVANS. DRY PIPE'VALVE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24. 1902.

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No. 731,877. I

Patented June 23,, 1903.

UNITED STATES ATENT PPIcE. L

OWELL EVANS, on PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO INTER- NATIONAL SPRINKLER COMPAN OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A ooRPoRATIoN oP PENNsYL A IA.

DRY-PIPE VALVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 731,877, dated June 23, 1903. Application file d November 24, 1902. Serial No. 132,629. (No model- To aZZ whom it may concern.- I Be it known that I,'POWELL EvANs, a citizen of the UnitedStates,,residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Dry-Pipe Valves, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in fire-extinguishing apparatus; and it consists in a dry-pipe valve of novel and advantageous construction, being more particularly an improvement on the device for which Letters Patent'of the United States No. 695,294 were granted to me on March 12, 1902.

The objects of the present invention are to r 5 improve the detail construction as well as to A provide means for increasing the reliability and certainty of action of myabove-mentioned valve. These objects I attain as hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accomj panying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved dry-pipe valve, showing its parts in the positions occupied when air-pressure in one part of the system operates through mechanism hereinafter described to prevent the flow of water from another section of the'system tosaid first section. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of my improved valve, a. portion of the inclosing casing for the mechanism being removed; and Figs.3 and 4 are sectional plan views takenon the lines 3.3 and 4 4, Fig. 1, respectively.

In the above drawings, A is a valve-casing.

I forming part of the main water-supply pipe of a dry-pipe fire-extinguishingsystem, this casing having an inlet a and an outlet (1 for water and an opening a I provided with a valve-seat a for the passage of the mechanism connecting .the air and water valves, in

4o addition to whichthere is a main drip-opening a} and other openings closed by plates a and aflthrough which access may be had to the intermediatechamber of the casing and to the top of the air-valve.

Within the casing are fitted a diaphragm B and a valve-seat C,- for which there are provided valves b and 0, respectively, these latter serving under normal conditions to prevent access of both air and water under pressure.

to the portion'of the casing included between nected by means of a system of struts and levers consisting of the fork D, the lever F, a weighted lever G, a lever H, hereinafter called f the tumbler, and a strut I. engaged when the various parts of the device jare in the positions shown in Fig. 1 by the lever F, which in turn is carried upon a bolt .or pin f, passing between two lugs or. pro- ,jections a preferably formed integral with the casing A. is of such a length as to engage a bearingthem and known as the intermediate chamber of said casing.

I preferably retain the diaphragm B in operative position by confining it between the flange of a fitting A and a suitable face on the casing A, the said fitting opening in any desired or convenient direction and the diaphragm serving as a yielding seat for the valve 6.

* The valve 0 is pinned to an arm a by means of a bolt 0 said arm being hinged to the interior of the valvecasing by means of a pivotpin 0'. A piece of spring-bronze ciextending around the arm 0 is held in place by the bolt 0 and serves as a buffer for the valve when this latter is violently swung on its pivot or hinge when operating to permit the passage of water. The valve 1) is also hinged or pivotally supported by means of a strut D, hereinafter referred to as the fork, pinned at d to a casting E, upon which the casing A is preferably supported.

The opening a fiwith its seat a is so placed in the casing A with respect to the valve B and the pivotal support d that the valve b may under certain conditions of operation seat itself upon said seat-ring, so as to close the opening therethrough.

The two valves 1) and c are operatively con- The fork Dis The free-end of said lever F 9 surface at 9 upon the weighted leverG, the distinctive feature of the latter lever being that one. of its arms has attached to or formed integral with it a relatively heavy weight g;

the lever asa whole being, provided with a bearing or. support (3, formed in suitable lugs 6 projecting from the supporting part or standard E. A link or bar J is pivoted to the lever F near its lower end {and is provided with an elongated slot 7, through which passes a pin g serving to movably connect it to the weighted lever G.

The tumbler H has a knife-edge support it and is so constructed that one of its arms h engages across-piece g of the lever G, its other arm h being provided with an elongated depression or slot for the reception of the wedge-shaped end of the strut I. This construction is employed in order to prevent the possible rotation of said strut which might bring some part of it into contact with the fork. The fork D is slotted or made in open form, as shown in Fig. 2, to permit of the passage through it of the second strut 1, whose upper end is rounded to fit within a depression or recess in a lug c projecting downwardly from the under side of the valve 0, said strut also having a projecting portion or lug 11, provided with an elongated slot 11 for the reception of a pin d, by which the strut is held to the strut D, while being free to move relatively to the same.

An external shell or casing fits around and incloses all of the above-described mechanism which projects outside of the main valvecasing A, this casing being formed in two parts K and K and provided with lugs 70, by which said parts are secured to and supported by the portion E of the device.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 4,0nep0rtion of the inclosing casing has a flange 7c overlapping the edge of the other, the bottom edges of the parts being slightly separated and'sloping to a vertical plane, so thatthe casing cannot be closed with any object left within it which mightinterfere with the operation of the valve mechanism. There is below this inclosing casing a suitably-form ed receptacle 6 for the reception of water, this being in the present instance integral with the supporting-section E and provided with an opening 8 in its bottom for the escape of such water. The two sections of the casing are held togetherby a bolt k which passes through suitable lugs in said sections. 7

Under normal conditions the various parts of the apparatus are in the positions shown in Fig. 1,the air under pressure in the sprinkler system in connection with the opening a of the casing pressing against the valve 0 and holding it closed against water under a much against its diaphragm sufficiently to move it outwardly, as indicated in the drawings. The tightness of the closure thus effected by the valve bis still further assisted by the water-pressure within the portion of the system connected to the inlet awhich acts upon the diaphragm, so as to press it with a rela tively large pressure upon the narrow valveface. the sprinkler system falls below a predetermined point, the valve 0 rises, thereby permitting motion of the strut I and of the tumbler-lever H, such action being materially assisted by the lever G, whose weighted arm g always tends to revolve said leverH upon its supporting knife-edge h. The turning of the weighted lever G upon its supporting member 6 permits the downward swing of the long arm of the lever F and allows the valve 1) to seat itself upon the ring a the water under pressure then flowing from the inlet a past diaphragm B, the valve-seat O, and into the sprinkler system connected to the outlet at. Violent or excessive motion of the long arm of the lever F is prevented by the link J, which, being attached to the weighted portion 9' of the lever G, restrains such action and makes possible the relatively small casing, as shown. It is thus seen that the weighted arm of the lever G has a number of functions, for not only does it exercise a constant force tending to open the valve 0, but as it turns on its pivot or falls it pulls the long arm of the lever F through the link J and then checks excessive movement of said lever F by the same means.

It will be understood that during the pas- When, however, the air-pressure in sage of water through the valve-casing the valve b remains seated upon the ring a thus preventing the escape of water, while the valve 0 assumes a substantially perpendicular position atone side of the upper portion of the casing A, being cushioned when swung upwardly by means of the spring-piece 0 After the flow of water through the valve-casing has been stopped by the shutting of a valve suitably placed in the supply system the remaining water may be drained ofi through the conduit a the valve 0 returning to its seat under the action of gravity. Upon the air-pressure being again admitted to the sprinkler system, so as to exert pressure upon the upper surface of said valve 0, the valve 6 is raised from the ring a and the various levers and struts set in position as shown in Fig. 1, any surplus water draining ofi through theopening 6. Water under pressure is then admitted to the supply system, so as to press IIO against the valve b, and the device is againin condition for operation.

As above set forth, the peculiar construction of the diaphragm B and valve 1) insures a perfectly water-tightclosure, thereby rendering possible the omission of the adjustingbolt ordinarily carried by the lever F and engaging the strut D. The yielding diaphragm takes up all lost motion between the various members while being forced against the valve by direct water-pressure. By reaits connecting-levers upon the valve the pressure at which said valve will open. and. cause the opening of the valve d may be calculated within exceedingly small limits and the operation of i the device rendered come i spondingly capable ofclose adjustment tosuit any desired conditions, As a result ofthis arrangement of parts the air-valve 0 can be and in practice isdesigned to open when the air-pressure in the sprinkler system varies between very small limits, and yet the valve 5 may press so tightly upon its seat that there is no possibility ofa leakage of the water acting against it. a s

I preferably form thecup-shaped cavity in the lower face of the lug c of the valve 0 of s such dimensions that when the lower end of f the strut I isplaced in engagement with its a theupper end of said strut toavoid entrance arm of the tumbler it shall not be possible for into said cavity, since any tendency of the strut to pass the lugo when the device is being set-would be prevented by contact with the pin (1, the proper seating or engagement of the upper end of said. strut in the cavity being thus assured; Similarlythe receivingslot in tumbler H i's guarded on its sides, so

that the lower end of strut I must assume its proper position and without I the possibility of incorrect sitting."

1 I claim asmy invention V r 1. The combination in a valve structure designed to form part'of the main conduit of a dry-pipe fire-extinguishing system, of a cas-' ing'containing two main valves, mechanism operatively connecting said main valves.

wherebyair-pressure on one valve is caused to prevent motion of the other valve from fluid-pressure actingthereagainst, said mechanism including a plurality of levers,oneof thesame beinguprovidedwith an enlarged portion forming ,a weighted arm placedso that it tends toopen the air-valve, substantially as described. V

be 2. The combination in a dry-pipe valve,of a casing, valves therein having connecting mechanismwhereby air-pressure on oncvalve acts to prevent motion of the other valve from Water-pressure acting against it, said mechanism including two levers having arms in engagement with one another, one of said M arms being weighted, and a link connecting said weighted arm with'the arm ofthe other 1 described.

lever, substantiallyas described.

3. The combination in a dry-pipe valve, of.

a casing,.va lves therein having connecting mechanism whereby air-pressure on one 1 I 1 fvalve acts to preventmotion ofthe other valve from water-pressure acting against it, said mechanism including two levers having arms i in engagement with one another, one of said arms beingweighted, and a link connecting the end of said weighted'arm withtheend of:

the arm of the other lever,su bstantially as 4:. s The combination in a dry-pipe valve, of

tion ofsaid lug strut withthe other valve, a portion of said.

a casing, valves therein for controlling the flow of fluid through the casing, mechanism connecting the valves, said mechanism including three levers, two of said levers each having an arm in engagement with the third lever, said third lever having a weighte-dportion, and a link connecting said weighted p01 tion with one of the-arms of said first two levers, substantially as described. 5. The combination in a dry-pipe valveof a casing having two valves for governing the flow of fluid therethrough, mechanism. connecting the valves, said mechanism including a series of levers, a casing ontsideofsaid drypipe valve inclosing said mechanism, and means for permanently connecting certain arms of the levers together whereby undue motion of said arms is prevented, substan tially as described. l a

6. The combination in a dry-pipe valve, of a casing, valves therein for controlling the flow of fluid through the casing, mechanism connecting the valves, said mechanism including a strut in i engagement with each valve, a lever in engagement with the free end of each strut, a third lever having an arm in detachable engagement with an arm of each of said levers, with means for permanently connecting said third lever to a portion orthomechanism connecting the valves, substantially as described.

7. In a dry-pipe valve, the combination of V a casing, valves therein for controlling the how of fluid, mechanism -oonnecting the valves whereby pressure upon one valve acts to prevent motion of the other, said mechanism including a strut designed to engage one of the valves and levers connectingsaid strut tothe other valve, with means for limiting the motion of said strut relatively to its valve,

one of the members comprised by the strut and the valve having an extendedportion of dimensions bearing a predetermined relation to said motion-limiting means, whereby operative engagement of said strut with its valve is insured-when the remainder of the mechanism is being placed in its set position, substantially as described.

8. In a dry-pipe valve, the combination of s a casing, valves therein for-controllingthe flow of fluid, mechanism connecting the valves whereby pressure upon one valve acts to prevent motion of the other, one ofth'e Valves being provided with a lug having an extended portion, said mechanism including a strut designed to engage the extendedporand levers connecting said connecting mechanism having a device fo'r compelling said strut to engage with the extended portion of the lug-when the remainder position, substantially as described.

of the mechanism is being placed in its set a casing, valves therein, mechanismco'nnect-- ing said valves whereby the pressure upon one of the same acts to prevent motion of the 1 other, a portion of said mechanism extending outside of the casing, a standard supporting the valve-casing and a shell extending around the external portion of said mechanism, said shell having an opening at the bottom and the standard having a portion extending under said opening for the reception of liquid escaping from the valve casing, substantially as described.

10. In a dry-pipe valve, the combination of a casing having within it valves for controlling the fiow of fluid therethrough, mechanism connecting said valves so that air-pressure upon one valve prevents motion of the other, said mechanism including struts engaging the valves, one valve having a projection for the reception of the end of its strut, said strut being loosely pinned to a portion of the mechanism in such manner as to limit its transverse motion to an extent sufficient to insure its engagement with the projection on the valve when said valve is closed and the other end of said strut is engaged by the appropriate portion of the mechanism, substantially as described.

11. In a dry-pipe valve, the combination of a casing having valves and mechanism connecting the same whereby one of the valves exposed to water-pressure is kept seated by air-pressure acting on the other valve, said mechanism including a system of levers and struts, one of the levers being operatively connected to a valve by one of the struts, said valve having a concave portion for the reception of said strut, said lever and the strut comprising elements of which one is provided with a wedge-shaped portion hav-' ing its edge in a line substantially parallel to the axis of the pivot of said lever and the other element has a slot for the reception of i said edge, with means engaging said strut to limit its movement when the valve parts are being assembled for operation and thereby insure the engagement of one of its ends with the concave portion of the valve when the other end engages said lever, substantially as described.

12. In a dry-pipe valve, the combination of a casing constructed to form a part of the main conduit of a fire-extinguishing system and having within it valves for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, mechanism connecting said valves so thatair-pressure upon one valve prevents motion of the other,

said mechanism including a system of struts and levers placed to connect certain members of the mechanism, one of said levers having a weight acting upon its arms placed to continually tend to open the air-valve in said main conduit independently of the pressure upon the water-valve, substantially as described.

13. The combination in a dry-pipe valve, of a casing containing valves, mechanism operatively connecting said valves whereby airpressure on one valve acts to prevent motion of the other valve from water-pressure, said mechanism including a plurality of levers and a device tending to open the air-valve irrespective of the water-pressure, said device having means for positively moving one of the levers when the air-valve opens and 'means serving to limit the motion of said i lever after such movement, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

POWELL EVANS. Witnesses:

MURRAY 0. BOYER, J os. H. KLEIN. 

